Time seems to have slipped away!
Teachers in New York City reported that many high school students struggle to read traditional clocks following a statewide ban on cellphones in schools. This seems to stem from the belief that such skills are irrelevant in today’s tech-driven world.
“You know, I often find myself asking, ‘Excuse me, what time is it?'” says Maddie Morhinweg, an English teacher in Manhattan.
She noted that it’s frustrating since everyone is curious about how much class time is left. “Eventually, I started to ask, ‘Can you tell me where the big hand is and where the little hand is?'”
Reports indicated numerous tech-savvy teens are clueless about telling time in class, primarily because the classroom typically has only analog clocks.
“They aren’t familiar with reading a clock, and that’s quite concerning,” mentioned Tiana Millen, the assistant principal at Cardozo High School in Queens. “It’s a skill they simply lack.”
Some students confessed they learned this skill in early grades but have since forgotten it, considering it somewhat outdated.
Cheyenne Francis, 14, a Midwood High School student, shared, “I picked up how to read a clock in first grade, but I guess I just forgot because I wasn’t using it.” She added, “I can read a clock fine, except for when it’s off, which happens sometimes.”
The statewide smartphone ban, effective September 4 for the current school year, has been perceived to have few drawbacks by education officials.
Many teachers have claimed that the ban has resulted in better focus in the classroom, students interacting more during breaks, and quicker transitions in hallways.
There’s a bit of irony here—it might help you get to class on time even if you can’t grasp the clock.
As Generation Z becomes more immersed in technology, parents and educators have consistently pointed to it as a reason for declines in various skills, including handwriting and sustained attention.
Ira Gething, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Education, emphasized, “We understand how crucial it is for students to master both analog and digital clock-reading.”
“In our digital age, it’s vital that youngsters don’t overlook the ability to tell time traditionally.”
School officials highlighted that children are instructed on terms like “hour,” “half an hour,” and “quarter” during their early elementary years.
